South African dancing spirit earns them FIFPRO Fair Play Award
Not many players would start dancing with their opponent right after losing a game, but South Africa did just that after their match against Brazil yesterday. It earned them the FIFPRO Award.
The game was tight but despite giving it their all, Brazil beat the South Africans 6-3. The team managed to turn their disappointment around immediately though, and treated the crowds to a sing and dance show, involving the Brazil team on the pitch.
“You had me on my toes the whole time, guys”, exclaimed our very own Homeless World Cup Award presenter Kasali Casal to a delighted South African team. “Your dancing melted my heart.”
Knut Haugsvær, the Salvation Army's project leader for the event, presented the team with their medals. Well deserved, he said: “You were lifting each other up.”
As if it was the cue they’d been waiting on, the South African players once again erupted in song, showing off their dance moves to the world.
Long-time team manager Clifford Martinus proudly watches on.
“We say to the players: ‘Let’s show camaraderie.’ It started already during the opening parade on Saturday, when the boys spotted a newlywed couple in the crowd. They all went up to congratulate them!”
Words by Danielle Batist | Photos by Donnie Nicholson